Wed Mar 2, 2005 8:50 AM ET
ALICE SPRINGS, Australia (Reuters) - Topless Aboriginal dancers welcomed Britain's Prince Charles in Australia's outback on Wednesday, where locals were preparing to throw a bachelor party for the newly engaged royal.
Charles, who is due to wed divorcee Camilla Parker-Bowles on April 8, was greeted in Alice Springs with a traditional indigenous dance to wish him a safe journey in Australia.
Locals at the outback town's Bojangles bar were preparing to party as the future king of Australia arrived. Australia is a former British colony which retains the British monarch as its head of state.
Although Charles was spending less than five hours in Alice Springs, 1,200 miles northwest of Sydney, locals were planning to throw the heir to the British throne an outback-style "bucks night" to celebrate his impending wedding.
"We won't be shaving any eyebrows, no balls and chains, no gaffer-taping VB (beer) cans to anyone and putting them out in the park. It's a bit of wholesome fun with a bit of cheeky Australian humor," publican Chris Vaughan said.
(more at link)
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